HTML and CSS
The Seeker: Animated search bar tutorial for RapidWeaver
Marten of RapidWeaver Central released a thorough and well-written tutorial that demonstrates how to implement a search bar on your RapidWeaver website.
If you’ve been looking under chairs and tables, trying to find the key to the pop-up searchbar fable… then your search is over. The Seeker is here. And it’ll help you find what you’re after. With style.
Marten also describes how to enhance your Seeker search bar with RapidSearch, my own search plugin for RapidWeaver that easily integrates Google search within your RapidWeaver website.
See the full Seeker tutorial or read the original announcement on the Realmac Software forums.
BREAKING: XHTML2 will be discontinued in favor of HTML5
The XHTML 2 Working Group is expected to stop work by the end of 2009 and, instead, reallocate its resources toward the development of HTML5.
Today the Director announces that when the XHTML 2 Working Group charter expires as scheduled at the end of 2009, the charter will not be renewed. By doing so, and by increasing resources in the Working Group, W3C hopes to accelerate the progress of HTML 5 and clarify W3C’s position regarding the future of HTML.
This is HUGE news for the web development industry. I only hope this dramatic shift will speed up development of the HTML5 draft specification.
New Media Campaigns asks “HTML 5: Should we be excited yet?”
New Media Campaigns has posted an interesting and informative article about HTML5 and the future of the World Wide Web.
It’s an exciting time to be a web developer. The browser wars are in full swing, reminiscent of the mid-90s. Firefox 3.5 was released only yesterday with plenty of cool, new features including HTML5 support for audio, video, offline and local storage, and canvas text. Google’s Chrome and Apple’s Safari are blazing fast, already sporting cutting edge HTML5 features. The HTML5 draft specification, although years from completion, is already influencing web browser development and will revolutionize the way we develop for the World Wide Web. The future is here! But should we be excited yet?
jQuery Interactive Zoomable Map Plugin
Joel Sutherland of New Media Campaigns has published an interactive and zoomable map plugin for jQuery. This plugin allows you to create points on a map that, when clicked, display a popup window with related information. You can also define clickable areas on the map that can zoom and enlarge with a smooth animation. This plugin is very extensible and perfect for adding an extra layer of interest and dimension to any website.
Announcing Modernity 4 for RapidWeaver
I am excited to announce Modernity 4 for RapidWeaver! This is a significant update to one of my popular RapidWeaver themes. I have addressed several important issues, and I have added several new features. Modernity 4 has been entirely rewritten using cleaner markup.
Learn more about Modernity
http://www.joshlockhart.com/index.php/store/product/modernity/
Improvements in Modernity 4
+ Rewrote and optimized theme markup
+ Fixed layout vertical shifting issue
+ Added support for JS-Kit comments
+ Renamed “Logo Alignment” Variation to “Logo, Title, and Slogan Alignment”
+ Added jQuery 1.3.2 Javascript library
+ Added IE8 compatibility
+ Added link to home page on logo image (requires Base URL to be set)
JS-Kit Comments
Modernity 4 now supports JS-Kit comments that were introduced in RapidWeaver 4.2.2. You can now enjoy full-featured social comments directly from your Modernity-themed RapidWeaver website.
jQuery 1.3.2 Included with Modernity 4
The best Javascript library now comes bundled with Modernity! You have access to the entire jQuery library within your RapidWeaver website. Call jQuery with:
jQuery(document).ready(function($){
//insert jquery here using $ namespace
});
The jQuery library provided with Modernity will not conflict with other Javascript libraries that you may already be using.
Purchase Now
Modernity 4 is available today for USD $15.00. You can purchase Modernity at:
http://www.joshlockhart.com/index.php/store/product/modernity/
Upgrading from v3.0 to v4.0
Current Modernity users will receive a free download link via email within 48 hours. If you do not receive a download link within 48 hours, please complete my Download Request Form. Upgrade instructions are provided on the Modernity product page on my website under Documentation.
HTML Forms: The Right Way(s) on Script and Style
A blog post I wrote for New Media Campaigns has been picked up by Script and Style (direct link). This is a big honor since I personally subscribe to Script and Style for its very diverse and helpful web development articles. Be sure to check out my blog post here on Script and Style, or go directly to the original post, to learn how to properly code a semantic and accessible HTML form.
RapidSearch Form Snippet for RapidWeaver
A few weeks ago, Gary Byrd from http://www.rapidweaverthemes.com and I wrote some HTML markup that creates and positions a RapidSearch-driven search form anywhere on your RapidWeaver website. Gary has released this code as a free RapidWeaver Snippet. Now you can easily create and place a RapidSearch-driven search form in your RapidWeaver website’s header, sidebar, or footer. Visit Gary’s weblog to download this snippet.
What are print style sheets?
I often see my customers elated, confused, or frustrated when they find a print style sheet included with my RapidWeaver themes. These mixed emotions indicate a general lack of consensus about print style sheets. What is a print style sheet? What does a print style sheet do? Do you really need a print style sheet? Do read on to learn more.
Back in Business
I am back! And I am very excited to launch my new and improved website. Because my day job at New Media Campaigns keeps me very busy, I needed to streamline my RapidWeaver business. My new and improved website is the result. With a solid online foundation, I am now free to produce new RapidWeaver themes, post more blog posts, and send more newsletters.